EDUCATION

PhD in Leadership, University of Calgary
MEd in Interdisciplinary Studies, University of Calgary
BA in International Relations, University of Calgary
Certificate in Conflict Resolution: Mediation, Justice Institute of British Columbia
Certificate in Conflict Resolution: Negotiation, Justice Institute of British Columbia
Certificate in Marketing Management, University of Calgary

BIOGRAPHY

Dr. Leda Stawnychko is an Associate Professor of Strategy and Organizational Theory at Mount Royal University’s Bissett School of Business. She also holds adjunct academic appointments at the University of Calgary’s Haskayne School of Business and the Cumming School of Medicine.

With deep roots in Monterrey—Mexico’s industrial capital renowned for its majestic mountains—and over two decades of leadership experience across international public, private, and nonprofit sectors, Dr. Stawnychko is dedicated to cultivating effective, adaptive, and transformative leaders.

TEACHING EXPERTISE

• Leadership Development
• Ethical Leadership
• Healthcare Leadership
• Leadership Studies Capstone
• Change Management
• Conflict Management and Negotiations
• Business Communications
• Organizational Behaviour
• Management Principles and Practices

LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE

Dr. Stawnychko holds professional designations as a mediator and serves as the Mediator for the Mount Royal Faculty Association. She has held board positions with the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Institute and the Institute of Public Administration. Her commitment to uplifting immigrant women and strengthening community is reflected in her role as a career mentor to graduates of the Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association and the Calgary Region Immigrant Employment Council.

At Mount Royal University, she plays an active role in institutional governance, serving on the General Faculties Council, its Executive Committee, and as Chair of the Academic Planning and Budget Committee. She is also the architect and intellectual lead of MRULeads, a faculty leadership program grounded in her extensive experience and empirical research, offered through the Office of the Provost.

RESEARCH CONTRIBUTIONS

• Stawnychko, L., †Rafi, M. & Eaton, S. (2025). Exploring the impact of workplace incivility on psychological safety and leadership succession in higher education. International Journal of Leadership in Education, 1-23.
• Stawnychko, L. (2025). Transformative pathways: Nurturing leadership through reflective undergraduate education. Imagining SoTL, 5(1), 10-26.
• Stawnychko, L. (2025).  Leadership training for department chairs: Integrating formal training, experiential learning, and mentorship. Journal of Leadership Studies, 18(4), 6-17.
• Stawnychko, L. (2024). The strategic role of social networks in academic leadership development. Canadian Journal of Higher Education, 54(1), 42-54.

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

• Stawnychko, L. (2026, January 4). Feeling stuck at work as the New Year begins? It may be a sign of professional growth. The Conversation Canada. 
• Stawnychko, L. †Ashraf, M. (2025, October 21). Agree to disagree: Why we fear conflict and what to do about it. The Conversation Canada.
• Stawnychko, L. & †Hans, K. (2025, September 24). Empathy is under attack — but it remains vital for leadership and connection. The Conversation Canada.
• Stawnychko, L. & †Boyko, S. (2025, August 20). Is it wrong to date a coworker? Not necessarily — but it can get complicated.  The Conversation Canada.
• Stawnychko, L. & †Ferguson, W. (2025, June 29). Gen Z is struggling to find work: Here’s what’s driving the struggle and how to move forward. The Conversation Canada.
• Stawnychko, L. (2025, March 25). Book review: Radical respect: How to work together better, by K. Scott. The Department Chair, 35(4), 32. 
• Stawnychko, L., & †Choudhary, A. (2025, February 20). How to handle difficult conversations in your early career, from salary negotiation to solving conflict. The Conversation Canada. 
• Stawnychko, L. (2024, October 29). Why Gen Z is saying ‘no’ to middle management — and why you might want to reconsider. The Conversation Canada. 
• Stawnychko, L., & Wang, T. (2024, September 25). “No man is an island” …except for department chairs. The Department Chair, 35(2), 22-23. 
• Stawnychko, L., & †Oguike, M. (2024, September 25). Struggling to make decisions at work? Learn how to build confidence. The Conversation Canada. 
• Stawnychko, L., & †Rafi, M. (2024, August 11). Giving feedback can be daunting for new leaders — here’s how to provide it thoughtfully. The Conversation Canada. 
• Stawnychko, L., & †Tsou, E. (2024, June 22). Imperfect progress: The Chair's role in navigating conflicts. The Department Chair, 35(1), 1-3. 
• Stawnychko, L., & †Tsou, E. (2024, June 10). Ready for the next step in your career? Here’s how to prepare for your first leadership position. The Conversation Canada. 
• Stawnychko, L. (2023, September). Final report: Factors influencing leaders in academia series: Workplace incivility at Canadian business schools in the post-pandemic society. Business Schools Association of Canada.

MEDIA

• Despite constant searching, some Alberta youth still can’t find work. Calgary Journal. (2025). 
• Are your employees taking on second jobs for the holidays? Canadian HR Reporter. (2025). 
• Fearing conflict may hold you back, while respectful dissent might move you forward. The Last Show with David Cooper. (2025).
• Why we fear conflict and what to do about it. 880 CHED in Edmonton and QR 770 in Calgary [Radio]. (2025).
• AI is reshaping the first job for a new generation of workers. The Globe and Mail. (2025).
• Chief trust officer? Not for Canada, say experts. Canadian HR Reporter. (2025).
• Is targeted poaching of critical talent the future of hiring?. Canadian HR Reporter. (2025).
• Gen Z is struggling to find work: 4 strategies to move forward. 880 CHED in Edmonton and QR 770 in Calgary [Radio]. (2025).
• An educator who absolutely lights up when speaking about her student team. SoTL Podcast. Mokakiiks Centre for Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. (2024). 
• Why Gen Z is saying 'no' to middle management — and why you might reconsider. The Night Shift. iHeart Radio and Bell Media [Radio]. (2024).
• Leadership succession at Canadian universities. ORSCE Newsletter. (2024).
• Strategic networks for leadership development in the classroom. Academic Development Centre. (2024).
• Leda Stawnychko: Una vida para liderar [A life to lead]. Periodemica Podcast. (2023). 
• Resiliency among immigrant women in the public sector. Women’s Resource Centre. (2021).
• Llenas de paz, gratitud y sabiduría: historias de éxito de la mujer milenaria [Filled with peace, gratitude, and wisdom: Success stories of the modern woman]. Silver Health. (2020).

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† Student contributor at the time of authorship.